A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2011;165(11):979-986. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2011.122
Objective To evaluate the impact of interventions focused on reducing screen time.
Data Sources Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PsycINFO, ERIC, and CINAHL through April 21, 2011.
Study Selection Included studies were randomized controlled
trials of children aged 18 years or younger with interventions that
focused on reducing screen time.
Intervention Efforts to reduce screen time.
Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was body mass index (BMI); the secondary outcome was screen time (hours per week).
Results A total of 1120 citations were screened, and 13 studies
were included in the systematic review. Study samples ranged in age
(3.9-11.7 years) and size (21-1295 participants). Interventions ranged
in length (1-24 months) and recruitment location (5 in schools, 2 in
medical clinics, 1 in a community center, and 5 from the community). For
the primary outcome, the meta-analysis included 6 studies, and the
difference in mean change in BMI in the intervention group compared with
the control group was –0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI], –0.28 to
0.09) (P = .32). The secondary outcome included 9 studies, and
the difference in mean change from baseline in the intervention group
compared with the control group was –0.90 h/wk (95% CI, –3.47 to 1.66
h/wk) (P = .49). A subgroup analysis of preschool children showed
a difference in mean change in screen time of –3.72 h/wk (95% CI, –7.23
to –0.20 h/wk) (P = .04).
Conclusions Our systematic review and meta-analysis did not
demonstrate evidence of effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing
screen time in children for reducing BMI and screen time. However,
interventions in the preschool age group hold promise.
